THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES OFFERS REWARD
IN ARKANSAS ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE
DALLAS (September 29, 2003) – The Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS), the nation’s largest animal protection organization, is offering a
$2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the
person or persons responsible for the beating and attempted drowning of a
cat in Bella Vista, Arkansas earlier this month.
On September 18, Animal Control Officer Terra Carter was called to the
east end of Lake Windsor Dam after a lake ranger found a cat who had been
left to die in a trash can. According to Officer Carter, the eight-month
old cream and white male cat had been badly beaten. There was blood on his
nose and coming from his mouth, his eyes were bloody, and his entire body
was wet, but the cat was still breathing when the lake ranger retrieved
him from the trashcan.
Officer Carter and Donna Miles, manager of Bella Vista Animal Shelter,
immediately took the cat to Dr. Darlene Wehr at Sugar Creek Animal
Hospital. Due to the extent of the cat’s injuries and suffering, he was
euthanized. Dr. Wehr performed an autopsy revealing that the cat’s lungs
were full of water, and severe trauma to the head had caused ruptured
blood vessels in his eyes. The cat’s trachea was full of foam because he
had been breathing with wet lungs, and his bladder had suffered trauma,
possibly from being kicked, according to the autopsy. Dr. Wehr concluded
that this cat was the victim of trauma and attempted drowning.
“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in Bella Vista,” said Officer
Carter, who is currently going door-to-door in an effort to gather clues
in this case. “The condition in which this cat was found is truly
horrifying,” said Melissa DeLoach, program coordinator for The HSUS
Southwest Regional Office. “The amount of suffering that this cat endured
at the hands of maliciously cruel individuals is hard to comprehend.”
The connection between animal cruelty and violence to people is well
documented. The First Strike® program, part of The HSUS' Animals In Crisis
program educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty
and human violence. The HSUS provides resources about the connection and
what people can do to combat animal cruelty, such as starting a
Neighborhood Watch for Animals. The HSUS also offers rewards in cruelty
cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal
cruelty. Go on-line to www.hsus.org/firststrike for more information.
The Bella Vista Sheriff’s Department is actively investigating this case.
Anyone with information concerning this case may call Officer Terra Carter
at 479-855-3771.
“This case should also serve as a reminder of the importance of keeping
your cats indoors,” DeLoach said. The HSUS has information on how people
can help keep their cats safe. Go to www.safecats.org for details.
The HSUS has more than seven million members and constituents. The HSUS is
a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals,
wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and
sustainable agriculture. For nearly 50 years, The HSUS has protected all
animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education,
advocacy and fieldwork.
The HSUS is headquartered in Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices.
The Southwest Regional Office serves Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Go to www.hsus.org.
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For More Information Contact: Melissa DeLoach ( 972) 488-2964 or
Karen Allanach (301) 548-7778
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